Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his ministers have slammed One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's proposal of a so-called "Muslim ban" in the wake of the London terror attack, arguing her policy is dangerous and would worsen the impact of terrorism.
In a provocative video published hours after the London attack, in which four people died, Senator Hanson noted the hashtag #PrayForLondon, which was being used to express sympathy around the world.
More National News Videos
- Video duration
- 02:09
'Islam is a disease': Hanson
'Islam is a disease': Hanson
Saying she is "doing what ISIS wants", the Malcolm Turnbull labelled One Nation senator Pauline Hanson's ban "dangerous".
Up Next
Government legislation in doubt
- Video duration
- 01:28
- Video duration
- 01:28
Government legislation in doubt
Government legislation in doubt
The government is set to introduce its company tax cuts legislation, but will have trouble getting it through the Senate.
Up Next
$100 million ice drug bust
- Video duration
- 00:30
- Video duration
- 00:30
$100 million ice drug bust
$100 million ice drug bust
Five people have been charged including one in NSW over the seizure of crystal methamphetamine in China destined for Australia. Vision courtesy ABC
Up Next
Senators on strike
- Video duration
- 01:12
- Video duration
- 01:12
Senators on strike
Senators on strike
One Nation senators won't vote on government legislation until the Queensland sugar dispute is sorted out.
Up Next
Cyclone Debbie: landfall expected Tuesday morning
- Video duration
- 05:02
- Video duration
- 05:02
Cyclone Debbie: landfall expected Tuesday ...
Cyclone Debbie: landfall expected Tuesday morning
Several areas of the Whitsunday Region in North Queensland are now evacuating ahead of Cyclone Debbie, currently a category four storm, making landfall on Tuesday. Vision courtesy ABC News 24.
Up Next
How your soft drink is bottled
- Video duration
- 01:22
- Video duration
- 01:22
How your soft drink is bottled
How your soft drink is bottled
Clean technology is helping bottle your soft drink more efficiently than ever before.
Up Next
Salt Creek attacks verdict
- Video duration
- 00:39
- Video duration
- 00:39
Salt Creek attacks verdict
Salt Creek attacks verdict
A man who allegedly attacked two female backpackers near South Australia's Salt Creek has been found guilty of kidnapping, endangering life and assault. Vision: Channel Seven.
Up Next
A more efficient air conditioner
- Video duration
- 01:32
- Video duration
- 01:32
A more efficient air conditioner
A more efficient air conditioner
Australian invention IP Kinetik promises to cut air conditioning costs and reduce its environmental toll.
'Islam is a disease': Hanson
Saying she is "doing what ISIS wants", the Malcolm Turnbull labelled One Nation senator Pauline Hanson's ban "dangerous".
"I have my own hashtag ... it's #Pray4MuslimBan," she said." That is how you solve the problem. Put a ban on it and then let's deal with the issues here."
Her office clarified she was advocating One Nation's existing policies on Islam - such as a ban on Muslim immigration and an inquiry into whether Islam is a religion or political ideology - not prohibition of the practise of Islam.
Related Content
Mr Turnbull on Friday launched his most severe criticism of Senator Hanson to date, arguing her policies were dangerous and would only incite hatred of Muslims, which was the goal of terrorist groups such as Islamic State.
"If the problem is terrorism, policies like that would only make it worse," he told 3AW radio. "The object of the terrorist, the Islamist terrorist, is to get the broader society to turn on Muslims at large.
"Their recruiting message to Muslims and Australian Muslims is to say 'this country doesn't really want you, you're not really Australian, they all hate you'.
"Inciting hatred against any part of the Australian community is always dangerous. It undermines the mutual respect that we have in our community.
"If you seek to attribute to all Australian Muslims or all Muslims responsibility for the crimes of ISIL [Islamic State in the Levant], then you are doing what ISIL wants. That is the classic strategy of the terrorist and it has been forever."
Mr Turnbull said he had raised these points directly with Senator Hanson on previous occasions. He also noted the perpetrator of the crime in London was born in Britain, rather than migrating there from the Middle East.
The man was identified by police as 52-year-old Khalid Masood, who was born in Kent, had a criminal record and had previously been investigated by British spy agencies for violent extremism.
The Prime Minister was joined in his condemnation of Senator Hanson by cabinet colleagues Christopher Pyne and Scott Morrison.
Mr Pyne told Channel Seven's Sunrise the video was counter-productive because public attacks on Muslims led to less co-operation with authorities from Muslim communities.
"The agencies tell us that when there are attacks on Muslims as a group ... it stops the information flowing to the government and to the agencies," he said.
"We're not about to deport Australian citizens who are Muslims because of any kind of xenophobic campaign ... they are as Australian as anyone else."
Mr Morrison labelled Senator Hanson's comments "reckless and irresponsible", and said the occasion called for diligent security work, rather than "knee-jerk responses".
"That's not a time to be pursuing political agendas, it's a time for focusing on keeping Australians safe, and ensuring that all Australians - every single Australian, regardless of your race, your ethnicity, your background, your religion - is safe," he told Sky News.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the Liberal Party should put One Nation last on how to vote cards.
"If Malcolm Turnbull thinks One Nation is helping ISIS, he should stop helping One Nation get elected," Mr Shorten said.
283 comments
Comment are now closed